The Qld State Government is making dreams come true for young people with learning and perceptual disabilities thanks to a $30,000 grant to GingerCloud Foundation.
GingerCloud Foundation’s Modified Rugby Program (MRP) is a world-first, modified form of touch rugby pairing girls, boys and young adults with learning and perceptual disabilities with trained PlayerMentors encouraging social inclusion and promoting healthy and active lifestyles through sport. The program moves these young people off the sidelines and into the main game encouraging them to play rugby as part of their local junior rugby club community.
In 2017, the MRP had close to 180 children involved, and now thanks to a $30,000 Sponsorship through the Department of Housing and Public Works, the MRP will be able to increase its accessibility in Toowoomba and commence programs in Townsville as the demand for this program continues to grow.
“With the generous support of Department of Housing and Public Works, more girls, boys and young adults with learning and perceptual disabilities and their families will have access to the MRP across Regional Queensland locations,” said GingerCloud Foundation’s Managing Director Megan Elliott.
“In Toowoomba we’ll have new teams and a new division at USQ Saints Rugby Club and the Toowoomba Bears Rugby Club will also host their first MRP team in 2018. In Townsville, we’ll have MRP teams at both Teachers Wests and Brothers Rugby Clubs.”
According to Megan Elliott, the program delivers lifelong benefits, not only to the families participating but to the PlayerMentors who gain invaluable leadership skills.
“Through the GingerCloud Leadership Program, we are nurturing a generation of young people for whom disability is normalised and through NPSR’s support, we are able to continue to work towards this vision”.
MRP Season Information
The MRP and MRP Colts season
• 10 weeks with the first game on Saturday 21 April until Saturday 23 June. Season includes 1 evening training session and a Saturday morning game each week.
The MRP 7s season
• 14 weeks with the first game on Saturday 21 April with a break for school holidays. Season includes 1 evening training session and a Saturday morning game each week.
How to get involved
To express your interest in the Modified Rugby Program as a MRP Player, visit www.mymrp.org/mrp-players
To express your interest as a PlayerMentor visit, www.mymrp.org/player-mentors